SEVENTEEN “You have done exceptional work, Haldir,” The healer commented, as he examined Siddhir’s injured leg and arm. “You have my deepest gratitude. With Lord Elrond and my assistant hurt as well, I am short of help here.” “I will aid you in every way possible as long as you need me,” Haldir replied. “Where did you learn your skills at healing?” “Lord Elrond, for the most part,” Haldir answered, mildly. “Ah! You have learned from the best. I am sure our injured warriors will be grateful that you took an interest in healing as well as warfare. Come; he will not awaken for a time. There are others we need to have a look at.” “Very well,” Haldir responded, taking a last glance at Siddhir, who seemed to be resting comfortably. Together they hurried through each of the remaining five rooms in the first of two large structures that resembled talans, but instead of being high in the trees, were built low to the ground- primarily because it made for easier access of the wounded. They tended to those that needed it, and after a time, left and went directly across to the second structure. Inside were six rooms as well, and all were occupied with injured warriors. Three were well enough to be discharged, then together they looked in on Erestor and Anendel, the healer’s assistant. Satisfied that all was well with them for a time, they continued on to the last room in which Tinion lay. Haldir kept his composure when he saw him, for the flaxen haired elf was covered in blood from his neck to his stomach. As they neared his bed, Tinion’s large sapphire eyes opened to greet them. He smiled. “Does an elf have to lose a limb in order to gain more prompt attention around here?” Haldir frowned as he and the healer peeled off the sentinel’s blood-stained tunic. “We have come as fast as we could, *meldir.* [friend] There are many wounded this night.” “I was jesting, Haldir. Do not look so concerned. It is just a scratch,” Tinion replied. After cleaning the wound to get a better look, the “scratch” that Tinion spoke of went from his neck right under the ear and extended all the way down his chest to his hip. Haldir exhaled slowly and turned to the healer. “This will need stitches, and plenty of them. I will tend to him whilst you go on. There are others needing attention. Call upon me if should you desire assistance.” The healer nodded. “*Hannon lle.* [thank you] Tinion, you are in good hands.” “I know,” Tinion replied, with a wink. The healer left, and Haldir set about cleaning the extensive wound more thoroughly. Tinion tensed, but he did not utter a sound. “This scratch you refer to surely has to be uncomfortable, Tinion. There is no shame in lending voice to your pain,” Haldir stated. Tinion opened his eyes and looked at him. “Worry not, *meldir.* [friend] I am sure the stitches will allow me to do so.” ******************** Galadriel rushed inside the first set of healer’s talans and moved quickly towards Celeborn as he rose from the bed. “My husband, surely you should be resting! Why are you up? Has the healer tended to you?” “He has, and I am fine, *melamin.* [my love] There are many warriors that need this bed more than I,” Celeborn replied. Galadriel ran her hand over his face and the few scars that marred it. “I feared so for you.” Celeborn smiled, cupped her tear-stained face in his hands and kissed her. “*N’uma ner, A’maelamin.* [no more, my beloved] Your husband is quite well. I would much like to see to my wounded soldiers now.” Galadriel stepped beside him. “As you wish.” As they left the room, they passed Dinendal, who was sporting a nasty scar along the side of his fair face, extending from ear to jaw. The sentinel stopped and bowed to them. “My Lord and Lady,” he whispered. “As you were, sentinel,” Celeborn remarked, reaching out to grasp the tall blond elf by the chin and taking a better look at him. “How fare you?” “I am well enough, my Lord. There are others far worse than I.” Satisfied that the sentinel was all right, Celeborn released him. “Very well. You will take three days rest before returning to watch.” “*Hannon lle, Heruamin,*” [thank you, my Lord] Dinendal replied. They continued on, checking each room and the warriors inside. They found that Glorfindel and Elviondel had minor wounds, and were now waiting to be discharged from the healer. They spoke with each of them briefly, and left, moving to the last two rooms. Elrond was next. The Lord of Imladris lay unconscious. They moved closer, noting the vials of medicines on a table beside the bed. He apparently had bad wounds upon both his shoulder and arm, but they had already been tended to and bound. Celeborn moved closer, and lifted the end of one of the bandages. The skin underneath was black. “Elbereth! He has been poisoned,” he hissed. Galadriel took a look at the medicine vials, and set then back down carefully. She laid a hand on Elrond’s chest for a few moments, closing her eyes. She opened them and moved away. “It will take time for the medicine to work. Come; let us continue,” she urged Celeborn. They left his room and stepped in the last. Siddhir also lay unconscious. More of the same medicines lined the table by his bedside as well. Celeborn checked the bandaged wounds to his arm and thigh. The arm was fine, but his thigh was black even more so than Elrond’s wounds. “By the Valar,” Celeborn whispered. “He too has been poisoned! Why them and not the rest of us?” Galadriel repeated what she had done for Elrond. When she was done, she opened her eyes. “Because they can *See.* Come; let us check the other side.” ******************** Taurnil, Nilfalath and Anyriand were leaving the healer’s talans just as Celeborn and Galadriel approached. Celeborn halted them and looked them over, noting superficial wounds, and gave them the same order as Dinendal for three days rest before returning to watch. The sentinels thanked him and went on their way. They stepped inside the second structure of talans. The first two rooms were empty, but in the third, the healer seemed to be in a disagreement with both Anendel, his assistant, and Erestor, who stood beside him, having left his own bed. Celeborn strode inside quickly, followed by Galadriel. “What is the meaning of this disturbance?” Celeborn snapped. The healer turned to him and bowed. “My Lord, forgive us. My assistant and Erestor here are at odds with me regarding their condition. I would want that they stay here and rest for at least another day.” “But I am well enough, my Lord,” Anendel pleaded. “As am I,” Erestor added. “And my help is needed here,” Anendel continued. “I have help,” The healer countered, frowning at his subaltern. “So you will concentrate on healing yourself.” He turned to Erestor. “And as for you, Lord Elrond would have our heads if we allowed you to walk away without a clean bill of health. You know this as well as I.” Erestor smirked. “You worry for naught, healer.” Celeborn stepped up to Erestor. “Show me your wounds.” Erestor sighed, and opened his torn tunic to reveal the bandages underneath that circled his abdomen. Celeborn carefully lifted and looked under them. He saw two large, deep puncture wounds that were still bleeding despite the packing of herbs inside them. He lowered the bandage and looked the raven-haired elf straight in the eyes. “You will go back to your room and to bed. You will do so now.” Erestor blinked. The tone in Celeborn’s voice was not to be questioned. “Yes, my Lord.” He turned and left the room. The healer pointed to Anendel. “His wounds are similar, my Lord.” “Then he too will stay in bed. Is that understood, sentinel?” “Yes, my Lord,” Anendel replied, reluctantly. “Good. Who else do we have here wounded?” Celeborn asked. “Tinion is here as well, my Lord- in the last room,” the healer answered. “He has suffered a very nasty slash from a blade. He is in good spirits, but requires several stitches. Haldir is tending to him now. He has been of great help to me.” Celeborn nodded. “I am sure. We will see to them now.” “Thank you, my Lord,” The healer bowed as Galadriel and Celeborn left Anendel’s room and headed to the last, passing Erestor back in his bed on the way. Haldir had just finished stitching, and rose to retrieve a creamy mixture to wipe over them. “Haldir, how fares our patient?” Celeborn asked. Haldir smirked. “He fares well enough. His wounds have neither silenced his curt tongue nor his offbeat wit.” Celeborn laughed. “Is that so?” Tinion grinned. “Perhaps you should inform him my Lord, that he should indulge his patients in their humour. It makes for a swifter recovery.” “I think not, *rwaler,* [lusty one] for your *humour* would find my stitches undone,” Haldir quipped. Galadriel laughed the loudest at Haldir’s remark. Celeborn winced when Tinion’s long wound came into view as Haldir slowly covered it with a maize coloured cream. After doing so, he cut a bandage into several strips and covered its length. “That is quite a scar, Tinion,” Celeborn noted. Haldir covered Tinion with the sheet. “He told me it was just a scratch.” “A *scratch,* eh? Well, that is one *almighty* scratch then,” Celeborn joked. Tinion pulled himself up in the bed. “Now that it has been properly taken care of, I can leave this place forthwith.” Haldir reached out and placed a heavy hand on Tinion’s chest, pushing him back down onto the bed. “What you will do is stay right here.” “My Lord, I implore you…” Tinion began. “Do not try to get him to intercede with my direction, sly one,” Haldir cut in. “He did no such thing for Anendel nor Erestor, as you and I both heard. Your fate will be the same.” Celeborn and Galadriel chuckled. Tinion sighed. “The stubbornness of elves.” Haldir winked at the Lord and Lady, and returned his gaze to Tinion. “You, my wilful friend, will reside here just as long as your other questioning brethren- perhaps longer.” Tinion raised an eyebrow. “Ah! So you have joined the ranks of conspirators that vie to keep us idle here, eh Haldir?” Haldir smiled. “That is quite correct, *meldir.* [friend] It seems you have not totally lost your wits after all. I must go now and check again on Siddhir. Get some rest, before I return and give you something to help you do so.” “A healer that threatens his patients,” Tinion chuckled. “You are rich, Haldir.” Haldir winked. “Actually, my pay is terrible.” Galadriel chuckled at Haldir’s remark, and squeezed Tinion’s hand before she left to return to the first set of talans with Haldir and Celeborn. ******************** Elrond opened his eyes as the healer checked the dressings on his wounds. The healer smiled. “It is good to see you awake, my Lord. How do you feel?” “I am not quite sure,” Elrond answered. “No matter, I am sure you will be up and about quite soon,” the healer replied, noticing that the blackening of his wound was subsiding somewhat. “May I have some water?” “Certainly,” the healer responded, turning to pour some in a goblet from a nearby flask when Haldir, Celeborn and Galadriel strolled in. “Elrond! How good to see you back with us,” Celeborn greeted him. “It is good to be back,” Elrond answered, taking a sip of the water handed to him. “It is good to see you faring so well, my Lord,” Haldir said to Elrond, who nodded in return. Haldir looked at the healer. “I will check in on Siddhir now.” “Very well. Many thanks, Haldir.” Haldir bowed before he left the room. He entered Siddhir’s room to find him still unconscious. He unwrapped and checked the wound on his arm. Satisfied that it was healing well enough, he applied a thin layer of cream on it, and rewrapped it. Then he started removing the bandage on the insensible elf’s thigh. He cringed involuntarily as his mind replayed the image of Siddhir pulling the arrow out as the lack of bandages revealed the blackened flesh underneath. The packed herbs appeared to be soaked in blood. Carefully he removed them, and started cleaning the wound again before inserting more. It was then that Celeborn and Galadriel quietly entered the room. “I am no healer, but that does not look at all good, Haldir,” Celeborn remarked edging closer to the bed. Galadriel joined him, and gently placed her hand on the injured sentinel’s forehead. “It is not, my Lord. The poison seems to be spreading. The wound is much worse than before,” Haldir replied, gently spreading the cream over the entire thigh and re-wrapping it again. “If this keeps up, he will soon have a fever as well.” “He already has,” Galadriel informed him. “Elbereth!” Haldir swore. He moved quickly to the table, examining several of the vials that were there. He pulled three of them aside, and selected an empty one with which to mix them. He poured equal parts of all three vials into one, and shook it vigorously. “What are you doing?” Celeborn inquired. “It is something Lord Elrond showed me long ago. It is done rarely, but it might help. Please assist me and raise his head just a bit?” Celeborn moved forward quickly. “Certainly.” Haldir squeezed Siddhir’s jaw gently to open his mouth, and slowly let the mixture seep down his throat. When he was done, he nodded to Celeborn to lower him. Haldir wiped his brow. “Now we have to wait, for we cannot do anything else until it is known how he will respond to this.” Galadriel put a hand on his shoulder. “You look weary, *nin ion.”* [my son] Haldir sighed. “I can rest later. Would you please look in on Ru and Oro? I had to leave them in our talan when the alarm sounded. They should be sleeping, but I would feel better if they were with you.” “Of course,” Galadriel answered. “Worry not for your brothers, we will take care of them. You should take an opportunity to get some rest yourself.” “I will. *Hannon lle.”* [thank you] Galadriel took Celeborn’s hand, and they left. Haldir sat by Siddhir’s bedside and grasped his hand. “Please do not leave me, *lirimaer.* [lovely one] There is so much I need to say to you.”